ABOUT THIS BOOK

In this fascinating biology of and guidebook to the bat species inhabiting the Rocky Mountain West, author Rick A. Adams exposes the true nature of bats and the roles these fascinating animals play in the natural history and ecology of the region.

In the twenty years since the original publication of Bats of the Rocky Mountain West, chiropterology (bat science) has exploded, significantly altering our understanding of the ecology, behavior, distribution, and conservation of one of the world's most enigmatic mammals. This notably updated second edition further brings to life the wonderful world of bats with beautiful illustrations and photography that grip the imagination and reveal the magnificent natural history of the only true flying mammal. In addition, thirty-two accounts of regional species with photographs, range maps, and echolocation sonograms report informative and thoroughly revised findings on bats now living in the Rocky Mountain West. Leave any preconceived notions behind and learn the real-life biology of bats, which eclipses the fabled tales of the crypt and macabre.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Rick A. Adams is professor emeritus at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He is the president and founder of the Colorado Bat Society, which works to conserve bats and their habitats in Colorado. Adams is the recipient of the Winchester Award for Distinguished Academic Scholarship, Faculty Mentor of the Year at the Graduate Level, College Excellence in Scholarship Award, and several student teaching awards at the University of Northern Colorado. He was also beneficiary of the 2003 Colorado Book Award from the Colorado Center for the Book as well as the Southwest Books of the Year Award for the first edition of Bats of the Rocky Mountain West.

REVIEWS

"This new edition is essential reading for anyone interested in these amazing mammals. It captures the advances in knowledge that have occurred over the past 20 years. Rick Adams describes current conservation issues and challenges, as well as exciting and intriguing discoveries in our understanding of bats’ complex and rich social lives."
—Carron Meaney, ecologist and coauthor of Mammals of Colorado

"Preeminent ecologist Rick Adams offers an outstanding account of bats in the Rocky Mountain West in his new book. From individual species to communities, biology and morphology to threats facing bats and their habitats, Adams provides the reader with an in-depth look at these unique creatures and the challenges they face in the Rocky Mountains."
—Ed Arnett, Ph.D., CWB®, Chief Executive Officer, The Wildlife Society

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

What’s New in the Second Edition?

From Aristotle to Cuvier to Now: Deciphering the Reality of Bats

The Precise Origin of “Batness” Still Evades Us

Deep History: Interpreting the Past While Living in the Present

The Structure of Bats

Bats Today

Visual Acuity, Sound, and “Seeing” in Darkness

Further Fundamental of Echolocation: Seeing With Ears Is Not as Easy as It Sounds

Echolocation Pulse Rates: Speed Kills

CF Versus FM Bats and the Duty Cycle: Changing the Channel Is Not Optional for Most

Nature’s Arms Race: The Insects Fight Back

Reproduction and Development: One Is the Loneliest Number

The Inner World of Bats: Emotions, Cognition, and Sentience

Bat Communities and Food Webs: The Tangled Bank

The Longer View: Aging in Bats

The Global Importance of Bats

An Unfortunate Loss of Biodiversity

2. Physiography and Zoogeography of the Rocky Mountain Region

Northern, Central, and Southern Rockies

Geology

Hydrology

Climate

Vegetation and Life Zones

Transition Zones

North- versus South-Facing Slope Effect

Barriers to Dispersal

North-South Corridors: The Canadian/Mexican Connection

3. Evolutionary Origins and Adaptations of Rocky Mountain Bats

Bat Origins and Evolution: What Do Fossils Say?

Divergence of Temperate Bats: Some Like It Not So Hot

Special Adaptations to Temperate Environments: When Heaven Freezes Over

Torpor

Hibernation

Winter Activity

Migration

4.Bats in Rocky Mountain Ecosystems

Ecosystems of the Rockies: Hotbeds of Biodiversity

Bat Diversity and Elevation: It’s Lonely at the Top and the Bottom

Structure of Rocky Mountain Bat Assemblages

The Shapes of Bats: Physics Governs Biological Possibilities

Shapes and Sizes of Wings: Not Fitting In with the Crowd

Aerial versus Gleaning Insectivory: How Picky Should One Be?

The Shapes and Sizes of Ears: Better Hearing or Just Plain Cooler?

Bats as Natural Insecticides: Balancing the Diet

Other Foraging Modes: Bats That Really Do Suck

Water: Simply a Drink or a Mineral Sink?

Potential Competitors: Costly Bats, Poorwills, and Howling Mice

Potential Commensals: Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs and Bats, an Unexpected Connection

5.Threats to Rocky Mountain Bats: Conservation Strategies

Mountains: Their Effect on and Importance to Conservation Efforts

The Major Threats

White-Nose Syndrome

Human Recreation

Direct Human Killing

Blaming Bats for Zoonotic Diseases

Wind Energy Facilities

Solar Panels

Climate Change

Biodiversity Loss

What to Protect

Protecting Roost Sites

Protecting Foraging Habitat

Protecting Old-Growth Forests

Protecting Water Resources

Protecting from Environmental Contaminants

Protecting from Wind Turbines

Protecting Bats Using Other Human-Made Structures

Bat Houses: Do They Work? Should They Be Deployed?

Protecting a Future for Bats

6.Accounts of Species

Field Key to Bats of the Rocky Mountains

Family Mormoopidae

Ghost-Faced Bat (Mormoops megalophylla)

Family Phyllostomidae

California Leaf-Nosed Bat (Macrotus californicus)

Mexican Long-Tongued Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana)

Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae)

Family Vespertilionidae

Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum)

Allen’s Big-Eared Bat (Idionycteris phyllotis)

Silver-Haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

Western Red Bat (Lasiurus frantzii [blossevillii])

Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)

Hoary Bat (Aeorestes [Lasiurus] cinereus)

Western Yellow Bat (Dasypterus [Lasiurus] xanthinus)

Southwestern Myotis (Myotis auriculus)

California Myotis (Myotis californicus)

Western Small-Footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum)

Western Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis evotis)

Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus)

Arizona myotis (Myotis occultus)

Northern Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis)

Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes)

Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer)

Long-Legged Myotis (Myotis volans)

Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis)

Canyon Bat (Parastrellus hesperus)

Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

Family Molossidae

Greater Mastiff Bat (Eumops perotis)

Underwood’s Mastiff Bat (Eumops underwoodi)

Pocketed Free-Tailed Bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus)

Big Free-Tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis)

Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)

Appendix 1: Bat Monitoring and Conservation Programs

United States Federally Listed Endangered Bat Species

Rocky Mountain West State-Level Conservation Efforts and Listings

Arizona

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

New Mexico

Utah

Wyoming

North American Bat Monitoring

North American Bat Conservation Alliance

North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)

Regional/State Working Groups

Western Bat Working Group

Rocky Mountain States Bat Conservation Plans

Appendix 2: Agency Reports by State

Arizona

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

New Mexico

Utah

Wyoming

Glossary

Selected References

Index

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